A legend in New Mexico law enforcement will be laid to rest on Friday.Bob Stover was both Albuquerque's and Bernalillo County's top cop throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s.Before he passed away from cancer last week, his friends and colleagues wanted him to know the impact he made on their lives and the community. They recorded their thoughts and memories and expressed their love so the chief could hear their comments."Chief Stover, it's truly an honor to be allowed on this recording," said retired APD detective Al Simbala.Former colleagues thought of him not only as a boss, but a mentor.He served as APD's police chief twice and as the Bernalillo County sheriff twice."Bob Stover, Jinx Jones here. I just want to thank you for letting us chase crooks. We did a pretty damn good job, and we couldn't have done it without you," Jones said on the videotape made for Stover weeks before his death.Under Stover's watch, APD partnered with KOAT-TV to become the first police department in the country to start the Crime Stoppers program. APD was also one of the first departments in the U.S. to have automated fingerprinting and DNA.KOAT-TV general manager Mary Lynn Roper said Stover had a reputation for speaking his mind and didn't always have a harmonious relationship with journalists, but she said he was also fair and ethical."At one point I thought you were so inspiring, I really wanted to be a police officer, so I was checking into it and figuring out what that would be," Roper said.But Roper said she realized the reality of the job."I'd be calling for backup for everything, I think, because I just didn't have the courage. So I just stuck with reporting where I just had a pencil instead of a gun," Roper said.So many people wanted to let this man know the impact he had on them and the legacy he left."Chief Stover, I just want to thank you for promoting me to captain and for loving me. But I just want to say I love you more," said retired APD acptain Debbie Kuidis, who helped make the video for Stover.His funeral is 10 a.m. at Hoffmantown Church on 8888 Harper Dr. NE in Albuquerque.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

A legend in New Mexico law enforcement will be laid to rest on Friday.

Bob Stover was both Albuquerque's and Bernalillo County's top cop throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

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Before he passed away from cancer last week, his friends and colleagues wanted him to know the impact he made on their lives and the community. They recorded their thoughts and memories and expressed their love so the chief could hear their comments.

"Chief Stover, it's truly an honor to be allowed on this recording," said retired APD detective Al Simbala.

Former colleagues thought of him not only as a boss, but a mentor.

He served as APD's police chief twice and as the Bernalillo County sheriff twice.

"Bob Stover, Jinx Jones here. I just want to thank you for letting us chase crooks. We did a pretty damn good job, and we couldn't have done it without you," Jones said on the videotape made for Stover weeks before his death.

Under Stover's watch, APD partnered with KOAT-TV to become the first police department in the country to start the Crime Stoppers program. APD was also one of the first departments in the U.S. to have automated fingerprinting and DNA.

KOAT-TV general manager Mary Lynn Roper said Stover had a reputation for speaking his mind and didn't always have a harmonious relationship with journalists, but she said he was also fair and ethical.

"At one point I thought you were so inspiring, I really wanted to be a police officer, so I was checking into it and figuring out what that would be," Roper said.

But Roper said she realized the reality of the job.

"I'd be calling for backup for everything, I think, because I just didn't have the courage. So I just stuck with reporting where I just had a pencil instead of a gun," Roper said.

So many people wanted to let this man know the impact he had on them and the legacy he left.

"Chief Stover, I just want to thank you for promoting me to captain and for loving me. But I just want to say I love you more," said retired APD acptain Debbie Kuidis, who helped make the video for Stover.

His funeral is 10 a.m. at Hoffmantown Church on 8888 Harper Dr. NE in Albuquerque.